Barkerville National Historic Park
Street scene, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Street scene, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia

On August 19, 1998 I visited the Barkerville National Historic Park and was the first customer of the day. The town is nice in the early morning before a lot of people arrive, but it wasn't that bad later in the day. Over a 100 buildings to check out - many open with appropriate furnishings.

They laughed at Billy Barker when he and his crew went off to prospect for gold in the Cariboo region of British Columbia.

But they stopped laughing on August 17, 1862, when Barker "struck the lead" and pulled large amounts of gold out of his mine on the first day.

The best part of this British working class man's story is Barker found far more than gold. The town that carries his name became the largest settlement west of Chicago, Illinois, and north of San Francisco, California, in the 1860s. Today, Barkerville is the largest living history museum in western North America—a remarkable feat for a town that has been saved not once, not twice, but three times.

Lying in the long sliver of the town, between the pine forest and Williams Creek, are 140 buildings, more than 187,000 artifacts, two historic cemeteries and the largest collection of pre-railway Chinese buildings in North America.

"When you step through the main gate, you're stepping back into the 1870s," says Dirk Van Stralen, the marketing and communication specialist for Barkerville Historic Town. "In its day, this was a 24-hour-a-day town, noisy and smelly. But now it's just the opposite—it's pristine, with fresh air and quiet."

Barkerville has not had an easy time. In 1868, just six years after being established, the town burned to the ground—all except the Chinese section. The day after the fire, folks started rebuilding. When the gold dwindled by the 1880s, most of the residents moved away.

Not wanting Barkerville to go the way of most goldfield towns, residents got the town declared a National Historic Site in 1923. Families began preserving stories and artifacts from the town's past.

The library came from the family of John Bowron, an 1862 Overlander. Domestic life during Barkerville's heyday is on exhibit at the Wendle House, an 1890s home built for the town's blacksmith, Alexander McArthur, and purchased by Joe Wendle in 1904.

More history is shared at houses owned by the family of Fred Tregillus, who came here in 1886 and frequently mined the Lightning Creek area.

In 1958, Barkerville became a Provincial Historic Site, thanks to the efforts of Friends of Barkerville. Prominent saviors among that group and today's Barkerville Heritage Trust included Ron Candy, Ken Mather and former historic town CEO Judy Campbell.

Besides giving visitors a hands-on look at life in a late 1800s goldfield town, Barkerville also offers insight into multiculturalism. "It had the largest ethnic Chinese population in Canada, and we had blacks who were fleeing slavery. Despite the social bias of that era, they all did really well here," Van Stralen says.

Street scene, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Street scene, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Street scene, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Street scene, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia

St. Saviour's Anglican Church is an historic one-storey rustic Carpenter Gothic Anglican church building located in the National Historic Site of Barkerville, British Columbia.

Designed by the Rev. James Reynard, it was built by John Bruce and J. G. Mann. Construction began in 1868 but was not finished until after the church's first service was held on September 18, 1870.

Its Carpenter Gothic architectural features include lancet windows and board and batten walls on the exterior as well as interior. A porch on the right side which appeared in early photographs is no longer in existence.

St. Saviour's Anglican Church, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
St. Saviour's Anglican Church, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
St. Saviour's Anglican Church, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
St. Saviour's Anglican Church, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia

Vacuum Cleaner 1800's, St. Saviour's Anglican Church, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Vacuum Cleaner 1800's, St. Saviour's Anglican Church,
Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Bishop's Chair built without nails, 125 years plus old, St. Saviour's Anglican Church, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Bishop's Chair built without nails, 125 years plus old, St. Saviour's Anglican Church,
Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia

Boarding house, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Boarding house, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Boarding house, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Boarding house, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia

Boarding house, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Boarding house, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Williams Street School House, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Williams Street School House, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia

Williams Street School House, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Williams Street School House, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
McLeod Cabin, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
McLeod Cabin, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia

John Bowron House, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
John Bowron House, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
John Bowron House, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
John Bowron House, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia

Library, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Library, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Gold Commisioner Office, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Gold Commisioner Office, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia

Barber Shop, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Barber Shop, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Barber Shop, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Barber Shop, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia

Dr. Watt's Office, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Dr. Watt's Office, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Dr. Watt's House, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Dr. Watt's House, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia

Dr. Watt's House, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Dr. Watt's House, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia

Post Office, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Post Office, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Street scene, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Street scene, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia

J. P. Taylor Drug Store, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
J. P. Taylor Drug Store, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
J. P. Taylor Drug Store, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
J. P. Taylor Drug Store, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia

Street scene, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Street scene, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia

Dr. Jones Dentist Office, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Dr. Jones Dentist Office, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Dr. Jones Dentist Office, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Dr. Jones Dentist Office, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia

Denny's Saloon, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Denny's Saloon, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Denny's Saloon, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Denny's Saloon, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia

Government Assay Office, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Government Assay Office, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia

Government Assay Office, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Government Assay Office, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Government Assay Office, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Government Assay Office, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia

Government Assay Office, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Government Assay Office, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Street scene, Fire Brigade and Theatre, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Street scene, Fire Brigade and Theatre, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia

Kelly General Store, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Kelly General Store, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Kelly General Store, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Kelly General Store, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia

Kelly General Store, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Kelly General Store, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Miner's Cabin, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Miner's Cabin, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia

Miner's Cabin, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Miner's Cabin, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia

Street scene in Chinatown, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Street scene in Chinatown, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Street scene in Chinatown, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Street scene in Chinatown, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia

Chinese 'Hostel' for old age - called Taiping Fung (Peace Room), Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Chinese 'Hostel' for old age - called Taiping Fung (Peace Room),
Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Wa Lee Store in Chinatown, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Wa Lee Store in Chinatown, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia

Wa Lee Store in Chinatown, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Wa Lee Store in Chinatown, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Yan War Store in Chinatown, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Yan War Store in Chinatown, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia

Yan War Store in Chinatown, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Yan War Store in Chinatown, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Chee KungTong, Chinese Museum in Chinatown, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Chee KungTong, Chinese Museum in Chinatown,
Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia

Chee KungTong, Chinese Museum in Chinatown, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Chee KungTong, Chinese Museum in Chinatown,
Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Chee KungTong, Chinese Museum in Chinatown, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Chee KungTong, Chinese Museum in Chinatown,
Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia

Chee KungTong, Chinese Museum in Chinatown, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Chee KungTong, Chinese Museum in Chinatown,
Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Figurine in Chinese Museum in Chinatown, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Figurine in Chinese Museum in Chinatown,
Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia

Exhibit in  Chinese Museum in Chinatown, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Exhibit in Chinese Museum in Chinatown,
Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Chinese Lottery in Chinatown, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Chinese Lottery in Chinatown, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia

Sing Kee Herbals Store, in Chinatown, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Sing Kee Herbals Store, in Chinatown, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Sing Kee Herbals Store, in Chinatown, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Sing Kee Herbals Store, in Chinatown, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia

Sing Kee Herbals Store, in Chinatown, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Sing Kee Herbals Store, in Chinatown, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Street scene in Chinatown, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Street scene in Chinatown, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia


I attended the "show" put on using an authentic wooden Cornish Waterwheel.

Two actors explain deep shaft placer mining in this lively demonstration of 1870s technology.

They did an entertaining job of explaining how mining was done along Williams Creek.

Seems that there is a layer of gravel, then a layer of clay, then another layer of gravel. The upper level of gravel often didn't have much gold, but the bottom layer did.

Some fabulous amounts of gold were recovered on a daily basis.

The process involved digging a vertical shaft about 55 feet down to bedrock, then drifting off to the sides to find old Williams Creek channels where the gold was, then hoisting the gravel up the shaft and washing it in sluices.

Many of the mines used water wheels to power the hoists and to pump water out of the mines.


Waterwheel and sluice, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Waterwheel and sluice, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Waterwheel and sluice, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Waterwheel and sluice, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia

Waterwheel show, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Waterwheel show, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Waterwheel show, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Waterwheel show, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia

From town, I walked about a mile up Williams Creek to the site of Richfield where the only remaining building is the restored courthouse used by the Honorable Judge Matthew Baillie Begbie - known as the "Hanging Judge" although he only sentenced two men to hang.

He WAS a powerful force for law and order and is credited with keeping the mining towns in the area law abiding - unlike the rowdy California mine camps. An actor performs a show as the judge - very well done - very entertaining.

Courthouse, Richfield, British Columbia, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Courthouse, Richfield, British Columbia,
Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Courthouse, Richfield, British Columbia, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Courthouse, Richfield, British Columbia,
Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia

Courthouse, Richfield, British Columbia, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Courthouse, Richfield, British Columbia,
Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Courthouse, Richfield, British Columbia, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Courthouse, Richfield, British Columbia,
Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia

Judge Matthew Baillie Begbie, Richfield, British Columbia, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Judge Matthew Baillie Begbie, Richfield, British Columbia
Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Judge Matthew Baillie Begbie, Richfield, British Columbia, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Judge Matthew Baillie Begbie, Richfield, British Columbia
Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia

Barkerville’s longest running gold rush newspaper, the Cariboo Sentinel, was first published in June 1865 under the watchful eye of its owner and editor, George Wallace. At the time, Barkerville was home to a fast-growing community of miners who had been attracted to the Cariboo region by the discovery of gold.

Its stated objective was not only to disseminate mining intelligence, but also to eradicate official abuse[s] of power, both within the Cariboo region and beyond.

Each issue was about four letter-sized pages, printed on a well-travelled French press that Wallace had brought with him to Barkerville. The Cariboo Sentinel proved to be both popular and profitable for Wallace.

George Wallace was born in Boston in 1833 and it is believed that he was a newspaper correspondent for the Toronto Globe before he came to British Columbia with a group of Overlanders in 1862. Upon arriving, Wallace went to Victoria where he worked as a correspondent for the British Colonist.

The early gold rush years in British Columbia were a boon time for newspapers. Between 1858 and 1864, ten newspapers were started in Victoria, half of them dailies.

After earning a profit of $3,500, Wallace sold the Cariboo Sentinel in 1866 and he left Barkerville to start another newspaper, The Tribune, in Yale.

The Cariboo Sentinel was published for another ten years, until October 1875.

Cariboo Sentinel Newspaper, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Cariboo Sentinel Newspaper, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Cariboo Sentinel Newspaper, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Cariboo Sentinel Newspaper, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia

Cariboo Sentinel Newspaper, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Cariboo Sentinel Newspaper, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Cariboo Sentinel Newspaper, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Cariboo Sentinel Newspaper, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia

After a long day of gold panning or digging, Barkerville miners would drop into the House Hotel and Saloon for a drink and to catch up on the gossip of the day.

The House Hotel and Saloon, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
The House Hotel and Saloon, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Cooking in Wendle House, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Cooking in Wendle House, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia

Freight Wagon, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Freight Wagon, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Stage Coach, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Stage Coach, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia

I went to the musical stage show in the theatre. This was a FABULOUS show - good music - entertaining "plot" - they involved the audience including one man who got on stage and became a performer. One of the highlights of my trip. Almost went back to the next show.

Theatre Royal, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Theatre Royal, Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Theatre Royal Show Cast


Show cast in Theatre in Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Show cast in Theatre in Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Show cast in Theatre in Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia
Show cast in Theatre in Barkerville National Historic Park, British Columbia